A novel sink drain cover prevents dispersal of microorganisms from contaminated sink drains

Self Cite

Background:Sink drainage systems are not amenable to standard methods of cleaning and disinfection. Disinfectants applied as a foam might enhance efficacy of drain decontamination due to greater persistence and increased penetration into sites harboring microorganisms.Objective:To examine the efficacy and persistence of foam-based products in reducing sink drain colonization with gram-negative bacilli.Methods:During a 5-month period, different methods for sink drain disinfection in patient rooms were evaluated in a hospital and its affiliated long-term care facility. We compared the efficacy of a single treatment with 4 different foam products in reducing the burden of gram-negative bacilli in the sink drain to a depth of 2.4 cm (1 inch) below the strainer. For the most effective product, the effectiveness of foam versus liquid-pouring applications, and the effectiveness of repeated foam treatments were evaluated.Results:A foam product containing 3.13% hydrogen peroxide and 0.05% peracetic acid was significantly more effective than the other 3 foam products. In comparison to pouring the hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid disinfectant, the foam application resulted in significantly reduced recovery of gram-negative bacilli on days 1, 2, and 3 after treatment with a return to baseline by day 7. With repeated treatments every 3 days, a progressive decrease in the bacterial load recovered from sink drains was achieved.Conclusions:An easy-to-use foaming application of a hydrogen peroxide- and peracetic acid-based disinfectant suppressed sink-drain colonization for at least 3 days. Intermittent application of the foaming disinfectant could potentially reduce the risk for dissemination of pathogens from sink drains.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of foam disinfectants in reducing sink-drain gram-negative bacterial colonization

Jones

Mana

Cadnum

et al. 2019

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“…Our findings are consistent with previous evidence that sink drain covers could reduce pathogen dispersal from sinks. 8 However, the results also highlight a potential limitation of the drain covers. The devices did not prevent dispersal from 2 sinks where there was evidence of back up of water into the sink bowl and device due to more rapid inflow than outflow of water.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Immediately after completion of the initial assessment, the bowl and adjacent surfaces of the sink were again disinfected using the hydrogen peroxide disinfectant, and a plastic drain cover (Drain Armor, Boehringer Laboratories, Phoenixville, PA) was applied. 8 The same test protocol was then followed with the drain cover in place.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersal of gram-negative bacilli from contaminated sink drains to cover gowns and hands during hand washing

Hajar

Mana

Cadnum

et al. 2019

Self Cite

“…Compared to no intervention, the drain cover prevented contamination of the sink interior (0 vs 18%) and surrounding surfaces (0 vs 11%) in experiments when water was run for 30 seconds to simulate hand washing. 18 Questions regarding the long-term feasibility of use, cleaning, and maintenance schedules will need to be answered before drain cover types of interventions are adopted widely for use in hospital patient rooms. Livingston et al 9 used the drain covers in ICU sinks for a 14-day trial period, changing the covers after 7 days of use.…”

Section: Modifications To Minimize Contamination Of Surrounding Objectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water as a source for colonization and infection with multidrug-resistant pathogens: Focus on sinks

Lewis

Smith

Sickbert-Bennett

et al. 2018

Water distribution systems have long been known to be reservoirs and occasional sources for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). 1,2 Recently, hospital-building wastewater systems including sinks and drains have received more attention as potential sources of transmission of multidrug-resistant gramnegative bacilli. 3-7 In this issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2 studies by Dr Curtis Donskey's research group add to our understanding of the importance of sink drains as reservoirs of pathogens and describe potential interventions to reduce contamination of surfaces surrounding sinks. 8,9 This commentary focuses on the growing body of evidence linking sinks to HAIs and discusses strategies to mitigate the risk of transmission of pathogens from sinks to patients.